How to Easy Fix Too Wide Nut Slots!

[Baloney Balderdash]

I have recently string my just 28.6" scale Ibanez Mirko Bass with gauge .062 - .046 - .036 - .026 strings and tuned it to B standard tuning, that is B 2 half steps higher than the A string on a regular E standard tuning tuned 4 string bass, or like a baritone guitar.

 

Now obviously the stock nut wasn't cut for this, usually you can get away with a big thinner strings, since the nut slots are always cut with U shape at the bottom, but too much thinner and you'll be likely to get a bit of rattling that actually affects tone some.

 

Like for instance if you strung and tuned up your bass for piccolo bass (E standard tuning, but an octave above, like a guitar) or tenor bass (A standard tuning, like the 4 upper strings of a regular B standard tuning 6 string bass), or want to tune your 5 string bass to E standard tuning, that is E to C, instead of B standard tuning.

 

The solution, if you don't want to cut a new nut, or just is trying out something new but don't plan to have your bass strung and tuned this way permanently, is to cut a piece of adhesive copper shielding tape to size, that is the width of the nut and a bit of tape to each side of the slot (remember to cut it a bit longer since some of that length will be absorbed as the tape is fitted down the nut slot), place it above the nut slot and press the string down in the the slot with the tape under, stroke with a flat piece of wood or plastic on each side of the slot to get the tape to stick, and done.

 

This will make sure that the much thinner strings sits much better in the otherwise wider nut slots and thereby prevent rattling and make for a cleaner tone.

 

Make sure that the copper tape doesn't reach over the side of the nut towards the bridge, as otherwise it might dampen the strings slightly and possible potentially even cause intonation issues. 

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash